Free Floating Wave Energy Converter

Abstract

A wave energy converter includes a flexible pipe and an inlet. The flexible pipe floats on the water surface, following the wave form. Slugs of water and air enter, one after the other, through the inlet. Because the flexible pipe follows the shape of the wave, water is transported through a manifold to a pressure chamber connected to a generator. The inlet consists of a hollow, inflexible pipe attached to the throat of the flexible pipe. The inflexible pipe is fixedly attached to a buoyancy tank or plurality thereof. The buoyancy tanks are arranged in a vertical plane or in tandem, with the inflexible pipe passing along the plane vertical to the fore and aft axis of the buoyancy tank and the frontward portion projecting sufficiently ahead of the buoyancy tank with the flexible pipe terminating at a singular outlet. The entire apparatus is facing the oncoming waves.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to ocean energy and more particularly wave energy converters (WEC). As against the rest of the state of the art WEC systems, which mostly capture energy from the undulations of waves or surge, almost all in the vertical axis, according to the present invention, energy is extracted from the wave propagation in the horizontal plane. A ‘Flexible Pipe’ floats on the surface of water and adapts to the waveform. Air and water are trapped in the pipe and segregated—due to gravity, into discrete segments or “Slugs” in the crests and troughs, respectively. The segments get pushed by the waves as they propagate from one end of it to the other. Thus, energy is extracted by virtue of the propagation of waves. The segments can flow even against pressure, if applied at the Outlet. The total pressure in a pipe will be the function of the cumulative differential pressure of all the water segments in that pipe—less losses.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The FFWEC of the present invention basically consists a “Flexible Pipe” (or more than one Pipe), which floats on the surface of water, generally facing the oncoming waves, so located with the help of suitable moorings. An “Inlet” is integrally attached at the mouth of the Pipe. The Inlet and Pipe follow the waveform. The device works by using the advancing waves (wave progression) to push separate “Slugs” of water and air along the length of the Pipe, and converts the horizontal or progressive wave motion directly into kinetic energy. Thus, energy is extracted due to propagation of the waves, thereby building up the pressure.

[0031]With the rest of the conditions remaining constant, an increase in the number of ‘flexible pipes’ and length, will enhances the flow volume and pressure, respectively.

Problems solved by technology

Several ocean wave energy conversion devices have since been developed, but only a few matured to full-scale trial stage, but none yet implemented fully on a commercial scale.

The main disadvantage of the wave power is the uneconomical cost of extracting wave energy.

Although several Wave Energy Converters (WEC) and more than 1000 patents exist, none seem to have come up to the expectations.

The major challenges with the state of the art WEC's have been their complexity and survivability, mainly due to the vagaries and harshness of the ocean.

This might improve the energy efficiency but not cost effectiveness—in terms of cost / kW, of the systems.

Most importantly, none of the WEC today can perhaps be implemented with the resources readily available.

Consequently, this approach increases the degree of difficulty in design, implementation, operations and maintenance of the equipment; which is quite contrary to what is required.

As such, the state of the art WEC's are commercially unviable.

However, since waves are neither steady nor concentrated enough it has not yet been possible to extract and supply wave energy viably.

The major problem with designing wave energy converters has been in handling the vast range of power variations in the ocean waves, from approximately average of 50 kW / m, peaking to 10 MW / m (a 1:200 ratio).

This translates into cost escalation, besides increasing the degree of difficulty in implementation and maintenance.

Most importantly, it is unlikely that of any WEC of today, can be implemented with generic resources.

The devices might be highly sophisticated, even more energy efficient, but perhaps, not as cost effective—in terms of cost / kW.

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